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Dedicate audio for music lovers

Setup: Adcom GFA555mkII power amplifier, Adcom GFP555mkII preamp, Yamaha CDS-2000 SACD/CD player, Sony PCM-R500 digital recorder and Dynaudio 1.8 Contour mkII .

Introduction

I have a dedicated music room for my music listening. After a day of work, I will relax myself with music and a can of beer. My favorite music are Classical, New age and pop. My passion for music started when I was very young and it drove me for the quest for better music reproduction. From top to bottom here are my audio gadgets... My recently added home theater system can be found here....

Adcom GFA555mkII power amplifier

It uses 4 matched pair of Toshiba 2SB554/MJ15025* PNP and 2SD424/MJ15024* NPN complimentary, total 8 per channel to give 200Wrms into 8ohms and 325W into 4ohms, driven by triple-darlington configuration to give higher power output. The line-in consist a discrete a low noise differential pairs followed by a high current driver stage. The output voltage offset to the speakers is nulled by Linear Technology ultra-low powered LT1012 or equivalent LT1097 per channel to keep the offset voltage low to a less than 1mV . A large toridal,1KW power transformer with separate windings for both channel coupled with large 30,000uf 150V electrolytic caps per channel, total 60,000uf for both. Connection is via bus bar to carry the high current to the power transistors. Built in instantaneous distortion alert LEDs and a Thermal shutdown if the heatsink reached to high temperature. The power amp is protected by +/-VE rail fuses and there is no output speakers relay to degrade the sound. The characteristics of a amp; tight controlled bass, clean sounding.

*replaceable T03 power output power transistors.

Side view of Adcom GFA555mkII

Back view, normal operation the heatsink runs warm.

Rear side of power amp, showing the inter-connections

Adcom GF555MKII preamplifier

Adcom GF555mkII preamplifier

It uses high quality Burr-Brown OPA627* in the gain stage while Phono amp uses Burr-Brown OPA604* while buffer output from source to tape uses Burr-Brown OPA2604* (for recording). It has two outputs, the bypass and main. When connected to bypass output jack, signal get the shortest path, bypass the tone circuitry (even though there is a tone defeat switch) with no output caps. Heavy duty power supply, 6800uf 25V x2 and regulated by Linear Technology LT317/337 voltage regulators. Each op-amp is further stabilized by 4700up 16v x2 Panasonic HFQ caps. It uses copper ground and shield power transformer to reduce residue noise. Overall, it is sturdy build. The characteristics of this preamp is clean and lively sounding.

*previously Linear Technology Op-amps

Yamaha CDS-2000 SACD/CD player

This is Yamaha top high-end model, it delivers music with musicality; warm and slightly laid back sound. It uses Burr-Brown top end PCM1792 multi-sigma DAC followed by I-V conversion by Burr-Brown OPA2604* and differential filtering. Line out buffers for both balanced and un-balanced uses Burr-Brown OPA2134*. A silent smooth loading mechanism and a overall a sturdy construction weighed 15kg. For the first time, one can listen to extended 4hrs+ play on single-layer SACD such as Mendelssohn 'Complete Concertos'

*previously NE5532

Yamaha CDS-2000 SACD/CD player

Please visit Yamaha

Sony PCM-R500 Professional Digital Recorder

Ever since my younger days I love to make recording onto a cassette tapes; complied all your favorite songs! This digital recorder allowed me to record up to 3hrs of music using readily available DDS-1 tape. Recording is done via the analog inputs with SBM (Super Bit Mapping) on, it sounded like a high quality reel to reel analog master tape. Hearing is believing! I have over 50 tapes that I recorded over the years with this baby! It records linear PCM with a higher bit rate of 2.82Mbps sample at 48KHz. Sony PCM-R500 Pro recorder is used in many studios for post CD production.

Showing Sony PCM-R500 during recording session. It features 4 direct drive motors and independent input level control.

Dynaudio Contour 1.8MK2 Floor standing speakers

They are quite compact but sturdy construction. Each weighed about 18.5kg, this twin drivers and a soft dome tweeter deliver a big soundstage coupled with very good low frequency bass.